Sermons upon the Book of Job

We see therefore that here is a general lesson to serve for all men, aswell great as small, and that it behoveth each man to benefit himself by the example that is set here before our eyes. But yet herewithall the virtue of Job is right commendable: for we hear the judgement of our Lord Jesus Christ, how it is right hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Not for that riches do of themselves hinder us §40from serving God as I have said: but it happeneth through our naughtiness and corruption, that where as it becometh us to take occasion to be drawn unto God by the benefits which he bestoweth upon us, we be the further drawn back from him. Wherefore we see that Job was a man of wonderful virtue: seeing that in the midst of such riches, he had not his eyes blindfolded to conceive any pride in his hart, so as he should tread other folks under his feet, or forget God, or become a dissolute, vain, and pompous person: but held on his race which §50he had begun. Lo here the virtue that was commendable in him. And this is done, to the end that if we can not attain to be full equal with him, yet every one of us should look to himself, and go on forward to the mark that is set afore him. Furthermore we see also, that riches of themselves, are not to be condemned, as some fantastical persons surmise, who hold opinion, that a rich man can not be a Christian. For let them find me any of the pore that may be compared to Job in this virtue, and then let them condemn riches. But when a man shall have sought §60throughout all the poor men in the world: hardly shall he find one that shall come any thing near this man. Seeing then that the case is so, let us mark that riches of themselves and of their own nature are not to be condemned, and specially that it is a great blasphemy against God, if a man find such fault with riches, that he thinketh the party which possesseth them, to be utterly marred. For from whence come riches but from God? Therefore when a man condemneth them, he setteth himself against God. And further, it behoveth us too mark, that God must needs work far more marvellously in a rich man than in a pore man, as I have said afore. For I have already showed the difficulty that a man hath to maintain himself in simplicity and uprightness, when he hath abundance of goods.

VVe see therefore that here is a generall lesson to serue for all men, aswel great as small, and that it behoueth ech man to benefit himselfe by the example that is set here before our eyes. But yet herewithall the vertue of Iob is right commendable: for wee heare the iudgement of our Lorde Iesu Christe, how it is right hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of heauen. Not for that riches do of themselues hinder vs